Over the past six years over 2700 participants have become certified thanks to the Safe Places -Youth Certification program in the city.
As of next month, those looking to become certified or recertify with the program must do so online.
Safe Places Manager with the City of Swift Current, Kelly Schafer provides details on the digital upgrade that the program will be receiving.
"We've developed an online platform with our software developers. So what that means now is that everybody will go to the online platform and information will be revealed by that on our website in the next week or so. You create an online account and from there you have the option to apply online."
The Safe Places -Youth Certification program requires anyone over the age of 18 working with youth to complete some steps to receive certification including online training, a criminal and vulnerable sector background check as well as an application form. Previously, all paperwork was submitted in person to the Swift Current RCMP detachment where it was then processed, and once approved the person would receive a certification card which expired every three years.
Over the years Schafer says they have received a lot of interest from other communities and provincial partners and organizations in the Safe Places initiative and how they would be able to implement the program. Schafer says they have wanted to make changes for a long time to offer the certification process online so that it wasn't necessary to process the paperwork in person and they also wanted to keep up with the times and make the program more easily accessible.
Schafer provides some further details on the benefits of going digital.
"It wasn't as streamlined as we would have liked it to have been. If someone had a criminal offense or charges from previous times then what we did is they had to bring that record check to City Hall where someone had to review it and then take it back to actually process their application. Now, everything is online and digitally done."
Schafer adds that the documents required for certification will remain the same and can be uploaded to the online portal.
With the online portal will come a few new additions as well. A public directory will exist where anyone in good standing for youth certification will appear. Residents will be able to search the directory to see if a certain individual is certified. Schafer adds that they have also extended the certification cycle from three to four years with a bit of a twist. Each year those who are certified will be required to complete an annual declaration to say that they have no new criminal offenses within the last year. Failing to complete the declaration means that the individual will no longer be shown as remaining certified however the public directory itself will not show anyone who has been revoked or suspended.
May 8th will serve as the final day to submit in-person applications and as of May 16th, new applications will be taken online. Those needing to recertify can do so online beginning May 25th. Schafer suggests that those needing to recertify before May 25th do so by May 8th. There will be a short holding period for those wishing to certify/recertify related to the key dates as the new system is launched.
Residents that are currently already certified will be receiving an activation email to confirm their email address on file because an account will already be created for them on the online portal so there is no need to create a new one.
According to Schafer, another new feature will include something for organizations as they will be implementing an affiliation program online. Organizations will be able to sign up to be affiliated with the Safe Places online portal and they will be featured in the public directory. Applicants will then be able to tag themselves with a number of different organizations within their account.
Overall, Schafer says they are very excited about this endeavor and are looking forward to having everything in one place, limiting paperwork, and making it easier for applicants and the community to look into the process of becoming certified. She adds that they are grateful to the City of Swift Current for seeing the benefit of this program and continuing to invest in the community and keep youth safe.
Everyone is encouraged to visit here beginning May 1st, for all the new details related to Safe Places – Youth Certification.